Swimming Australia has stepped in to debunk false quotes attributed to Olympic star Mollie O’Callaghan about transgender athlete Lia Thomas. The organization issued a strong statement on October 13, 2025, calling out misleading social media posts that claimed O’Callaghan would boycott the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if Thomas competed in women’s events.
The Rise of Misinformation Online
False quotes spread quickly on platforms like Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, over the weekend. These posts included a fabricated statement where O’Callaghan supposedly said she would not join the 2028 Games if “that man, Lia Thomas, is allowed to compete,” and called sharing a pool with Thomas “an insult and a disgrace.”
The misinformation paired the quotes with images comparing O’Callaghan and Thomas, stirring up debates on transgender athletes in sports. Many users shared these posts without checking facts, leading to thousands of views and reactions. This incident highlights how quickly unverified claims can go viral in today’s digital world.
Experts note that such fake news often targets hot-button issues like gender in sports to gain attention and spark outrage.
Swimming Australia’s Quick Response
Swimming Australia acted fast to protect their athlete and set the record straight. In an official statement, they said the quotes were “fabricated” and that O’Callaghan had never commented on transgender athletes in any interview.
The group reached out to Meta, which owns Facebook, and asked for the posts to be removed. As of October 13, 2025, some posts remained online, but a Meta spokesperson confirmed they were looking into the matter. Swimming Australia emphasized that O’Callaghan focuses on her training and competitions, not public debates.
This move shows the organization’s commitment to fighting misinformation that could harm athletes’ reputations.
Who Is Lia Thomas and the Ongoing Debate
Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the United States, made headlines in 2022 by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I national championship in women’s swimming. She competed for the University of Pennsylvania after transitioning and faced both support and criticism.
Critics argued her participation gave an unfair advantage due to male puberty effects, while supporters pointed to her hormone therapy and compliance with rules at the time. Thomas has not competed in elite events since 2022 due to updated guidelines.
Her case has fueled global discussions on inclusivity versus fairness in women’s sports, with similar stories emerging in other fields like track and cycling.
Here are key facts about Lia Thomas’s swimming career:
- Started competing as a transgender athlete in 2021 after hormone treatment.
- Won the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
- Faced protests and legal challenges from fellow swimmers.
World Aquatics Rules and Their Impact
World Aquatics, the governing body for international swimming, introduced strict rules in 2022 that bar transgender women from elite women’s competitions unless they transitioned before age 12 or before male puberty. These guidelines effectively prevent Thomas from competing in the female category.
Thomas challenged the rules in court before the 2024 Paris Olympics but lost her case. The decision aimed to ensure fair play, based on scientific studies showing physical advantages from male development.
| Year | Key Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Thomas wins NCAA title | Sparks worldwide debate on transgender athletes |
| 2022 | World Aquatics updates policy | Bars most transgender women from women’s events |
| 2024 | Thomas’s legal challenge | Rules upheld, she misses Paris Olympics |
| 2025 | Fake quotes incident | Swimming Australia debunks misinformation |
These rules have influenced other sports bodies, like cycling and athletics, to adopt similar policies.
The changes have led to fewer transgender athletes in top-level women’s competitions, but they also raise questions about access and equality for all.
Broader Effects on Sports and Society
This fake quotes scandal points to larger issues in sports media and online culture. Athletes like O’Callaghan, who won gold in the 200m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics, often get pulled into controversies without their consent.
Public sentiment on X and other platforms shows divided opinions, with some users praising hypothetical boycotts and others calling for more inclusion. Recent events, such as debates during the 2024 U.S. elections on transgender rights, have kept the topic trending.
Sports organizations worldwide are now investing in media literacy programs to help athletes and fans spot fake news. This incident could lead to stronger social media policies against misinformation in sports.
We encourage readers to share this article if you found it helpful and comment below with your thoughts on handling fake news in sports.
